Peavey keeps focus in storm of attention

Razorback prospect leading undefeated Bolivar in playoffs

Nov. 11, 2013

Rafe Peavey of the Bolivar Liberators will try to help advance his team deep into the state playoffs. The quarterback represents hope for the future for fans of his future team, the Arkansas Razorbacks. News-Leader file photo

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Down the road, Bolivar High School senior Rafe Peavey will have plenty of time to know what it’s like to be a quarterback in the frenzy surrounding University of Arkansas football.

In fact, he’s already getting a taste of it now.

But Peavey has remained committed all season to being a leader for his Liberators.

And with this season already a historic one in the proud annals of Bolivar football, Peavey and his teammates have a chance to continue rewriting the school’s record books.

The Liberators play host to Pleasant Hill at 7 tonight in a matchup of 11-0 teams in a Class 4 district final game at Southwest Baptist University.

While Peavey has not looked ahead en route to another impressive high school season, many Razorbacks fans are looking ahead to Peavey. This after the four-star Rivals recruit reaffirmed his commitment to coach Bret Bielema’s staff over the summer.

He originally committed during his junior season and remembers having Razorback fans first come up to him after a game after a road game in Neosho. Since then, most Friday nights it’s easy to spot Hogs gear in the stands for most games.

“It happens a lot and it’s a little weird for me, being from a town of 10,000 people and now people know who I am,” Peavey said. “But hopefully I can share the word of God and everything and keep doing things right, and not get caught up in everything like it happens to some people.”

Rafe credits his older brother, Kolton, a quarterback at Rhode Island, for demonstrating how to act as the pressure has grown.

While the Razorbacks have sputtered to a seven-game losing streak after winning their first three, Peavey is one of the prospects who represent hope for the future.

And it helps to have the quarterback helming a winning program in Bolivar. This year’s Liberators are the first 11-0 team in school history, and continued the program’s 53-game winning streak in Central Ozark Conference divisional games.

Despite all the success, though, the Liberators have never advanced deep into the state playoffs in coach Lance Roweton’s 11 years.

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Bolivar has only been to the state finals one time, in 1992. That team was led by Roweton, then a junior quarterback, and lost in the final to Ste. Genevieve.

But with dynastic Webb City — the three-time defending Class 4 state champions — on the other side of the bracket, a deep run seems more plausible for the program.

First is Pleasant Hill, which features a talented quarterback in senior Josh Shewmaker. Shewmaker has thrown for 1,415 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, while throwing one interception.

But he doesn’t come with the fanfare of Peavey, whose Twitter timeline tells the story of a player staying grounded under immense pressure.

There’s the pictures and autographs he’s signed with Razorback fans, or the tweet from a recent opponent’s reserve quarterback who said he was “#honored” to impersonate Peavey as the scout team quarterback in preparation for the real thing.

“Rafe has had plenty of chances to be distracted, and his focus has just been incredible,” Roweton said. “A lot of people within our community wasn’t sure how good we were going to be this season. But we’ve been focused on starting fast and finishing strong, and we’re to the second part of that saying.”

Peavey is part of a talented senior class focused on achieving all of their team goals. Roweton starts 11 seniors on defense and eight seniors on offense.

“We just want to keep playing our game really, and not focus too much on any one opponent or any one game,” he said. “It’s really been a mindset for our team, and I really feel like it plays a big role. And all want it really bad, to keep the season going.”

Fellow senior captain twins Clayton Young and Caleb Young at linebacker, all-state defensive back and offensive weapon Drew Legan, and wide receiver/defensive back Hunter Burks have also helped lead the team.

“They really like each other,” Roweton said. “We’ve had good chemistry all year. They’re OK with the big play, and they’re also OK with grinding. We’ve won games different ways, and they never get bored with that.”

But Peavey is the leader, as he demonstrated after breaking his non-throwing hand in a game, playing through it, and not even missing a practice because of it.

“His focus to our team has been incredible, considering the magnitude of the Arkansas football commit and the publicity he receives from Fayetteville,” Roweton said. “He’s grown up with these guys, and has a deep, meaningful relationship with his whole team.